Business & Tech

Elmhurst Academy Closed For Good

After four decades, the preschool at 212 W. Lake St. shut its doors.

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Elmhurst Academy of Early Learning, pictured here in February, closed in the spring for good. By the winter, children were no longer at the school.
Elmhurst Academy of Early Learning, pictured here in February, closed in the spring for good. By the winter, children were no longer at the school. (David Giuliani/Patch)

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Academy of Early Learning, a preschool that started in 1981, closed earlier this year.

In an interview with Patch in February, owner Colleen Odegaard said the school was closed at the time, but planned to reopen soon.

The business' website says it is registering children for the 2022-23 school year. But a call to the academy indicates the phone has been disconnected. And the Google listing says school is permanently closed.

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The 70-year-old building at 212 W. Lake St. went on the market in early April, according to Loopnet.com, a commercial real estate website.

In February, Odegaard acknowledged to Patch that the school was not open, but said children were expected to return the next week. They did not.

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Odegaard said at the time the school was suffering from staffing shortages and delayed payments from the state government.

The state Department of Children and Family Services' database on day care providers no longer includes Elmhurst Academy.

Patch left a message for comment with Odegaard.

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